By Ismail Hassa, Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its operational structure from eight to 12 divisions and authorising the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve the military’s capacity to tackle emerging threats across the country.

The approval, announced in a statement issued by the Presidency, is expected to significantly enhance the Army’s operational effectiveness, improve command and control mechanisms, and boost the nation’s defence capabilities amid persistent security challenges.

According to the statement, the expansion forms part of the Tinubu administration’s broader strategy to modernise the Armed Forces and ensure they are adequately equipped to respond to evolving security threats.

The President also approved the recruitment of 28,000 personnel to strengthen the Army’s manpower base, alongside ongoing investments in military equipment, operational readiness, troop welfare, and force modernisation programmes.

Under the new force structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically distributed across the country to improve territorial coverage and facilitate rapid response to security threats.

The divisions include the 1 Division in Kaduna, 2 Division in Ibadan, 3 Division in Jos, 5 Division in Makurdi, 6 Division in Port Harcourt, 7 Division in Maiduguri, 8 Division in Sokoto, 9 Division in Ilorin, 10 Division in Jalingo, 81 Division in Lagos, 82 Division in Enugu, and the newly approved 83 Division in Benin City.

The Presidency said the establishment of new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City would decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, improve the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, and enhance counter-insurgency and internal security operations.

The new formations are also expected to provide faster military responses to security threats in various parts of the country and improve coordination among military units operating within their respective areas of responsibility.

Implementation of the restructuring programme will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, which covers the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions as well as the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026.

The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and additional restructuring measures, is expected to be concluded by December 2026.

President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and personnel of the Nigerian Army for their commitment and professionalism in defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to continued investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, highly motivated and capable of safeguarding the nation and its citizens.

The approval marks one of the most significant military restructuring initiatives in recent years and is expected to strengthen the Army’s ability to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other security challenges facing the country.